by Solange Lopes | Mar 6, 2015 | Career, Start Your Business |
Hillary Clinton – Photo credit: time.com
Hillary Clinton’s violation of State Department policy with the use of her personal email, has been all over the news lately. It’s also raised concerns about whether mixing personal and business is ever OK, when it comes to email. So really, can you mix personal and business in your email communications?
My $0.05: With the advent of smartphones and tech stuff everywhere, it’s now more than ever important to delineate personal and business. Here are a few quick tips:
1. Read your employer’s technology and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies! Find them, read them, and apply them!
2. Don’t email work documents to your personal accounts. This could be considered stealing confidential documents. Just don’t do it!
3. Beware of checking personal email on your work computer. Anything you access on your computer at work can be used against you. If you really have to check your personal email, use your own device.
4. Watch personal communications at work. That includes emails, instant messages, and even phone conversations. Keep personal emails to a minimum and very “kosher”. Avoid chain mails for security reasons, and if you think your boss shouldn’t see it, don’t send it out!
Basically, when at work, do your work! And if you must communicate on a more personal level, bring your own device!
Any tips on staying out of email trouble at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 6, 2015 | Career
Button front tunic – Photo credit: urban outfitters.com
I love easy, flowy tunics for the week-end. Hence today’s pick, this stylish, mixed business side slit button front tunic from Urban Outfitters. Loving the clean cut and relaxed fit of this drapey top in woven linen. It just speaks Spring to me. This tunic is priced at $169 at Urban Outfitters.
I’d pair this with a pair of crazy sexy cool ankle pants like this slim, multi-floral Pixie pair from Old Navy, or for added oomph, a pair of wide-leg pants like these Pallazo pants from Joe Fresh.
Happy week-end!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 6, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: http://zoeyryanthoughts.com
Once in the middle of busy season in Public Accounting, I went to work wearing two different shoes. It’s not even that I could have gotten confused because they looked alike, or had the same shape, or I had any alcoholic beverage before going to work (which by the way is a serious no-no). The explanation was simple, I was exhausted, stressed, and on the brink of losing my sanity.
Staying sane at work is important. Work will drive you crazy at times, maybe even most of the time, what with unfair office politics, competitive co-workers, rude colleagues and general professional annoyances on the daily. And you may very well be caught wearing different shoes, or applying make-up on just half of your face, unless you consciously decide not to lose, and leave, your mind at work:
1. Keep your cool! The average person faces at least 30 crisis a day, most of them occurring in their workplace. That should give you enough perspective to keep your cool. Crisis is part of work, and the first rule to address it is to stay calm. So take a bathroom break, inhale deeply, close your eyes, do whatever you need to keep calm in the face of stressful situations at work!
2. Get out of your head! I’m a creative person, so I’m really good at making up stuff in my head. When stressful situations come up, I already have a demonic plot filled with imaginary scapegoats and traps all ready in my busy brain. The result: more stress, an increased bad mood, and the inevitable chocolate day-long binge. My advice: get out of your head, and look at the facts straight in the eye instead of worsening it all in your head. And oh, lay off the chocolate too…
3. Tune the drama out! My husband has this mental tuning-out technique he applies whenever I start going into “freaking out” mode. It’s so effective I don’t even realize he doesn’t hear a word of my ranting, and comes out of the whole episode totally unscathed and sane. Create your own mental tuning-out technique at work. Whether it’s the latest earphones, a no-fail excuse every time your gossiping co-worker starts talking, or the perfect response to your insulting colleague, keep doing whatever you can to tune out the drama.
4. Laugh it off! Nothing like a good, hearty laugh to lighten up the mood. Watch an episode of The Office, picture your manager with two heads and bulging eyes, whatever you need to do, but just have a giggle!
5. Leave work…at work! Do your best to solve issues and remediate unsolved differences at work while you’re…at work! Don’t trail any negative professional baggage home. Scientists agree picturing a closed door when you leave the office helps you find closure at the end of the day. So close that door, let it go, life goes on…
How do you preserve your sanity at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 5, 2015 | Career |
Photo credit: http://cdn.blackenterprise.com
For many companies, this is performance review and bonus time. After writing your own self-review, analyzing your successes and failures, here you are, sitting across your manager, getting hammered with negative comments about your performance the past year. And it’s a tough pill to swallow, however much you love (or absolutely hate) your job. So how do you handle a negative performance evaluation, without crumbling to pieces or taking it too personally?
My $0.05: A bad performance review takes a toll on you, period. No one likes to get told their work is not up to par, or get chewed by their boss on any and all mistakes they made (or didn’t).
1. Acknowledge it’s a hard experience, and give yourself permission to feel the frustration, anger and/or pain that is often a result of it.
2. Understand what it means and what the implications are. Is the negative feedback cause for job security concerns? Are you being put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and does this spell doom for the rest of your tenure at this job? Ask the hard questions to get the answers you need.
3. If you’re going to contest it, do it the smart way! You don’t want to come across as defensive and not receptive to constructive criticism. Take a deep breath, receive the feedback first, then present your arguments in a neutral way and with supporting evidence to back it up. Expose your point of view in a smart, not argumentative way.
4. Be proactive and follow up! Make sure to check in with your manager as to any action plans to implement and follow. If you choose to start looking for another job, be proactive about it too, after hours!
Anything you’d like to add to the discussion?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 5, 2015 | Career
Draped Blouse – $29.95 – Photo credit: hm.com
I like the airy look of this chiffon blouse with wrapover draping at the front. The long sleeves add a touch of elegance, along with the button at front. This is simple yet sophisticated, and perfect for your 9-to-5, as well as after-hours. This blouse is $29.95 at H&M!
Other alternatives to this type of draped blouse include this wrap blouse from Shopbop, or this crossover front panel.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 5, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: http://leeevansbooks.com
Please welcome again our contributing writer, Stephanie Samuel, to the blog. Today, she’s telling us about a career path many aspire to engage in, but are not sure where to start. In this post, Stephanie shares with us her 5 best tips to become a freelance writer.
Whether you want to change careers or grow your brand, becoming a freelance writer can be a great opportunity to expand your resume.
Moonlighting as a freelance reporter helped me break into the news reporting field. It is also the way I set myself apart as a professional.
However changes in technology have made these opportunities harder to come by. The growing popularity of blogs and the increase in free online content means that independent writers must take certain steps to remain competitive.
Here are some tips to put you ahead of the competition.
Cater to Your Strengthens– What are you into? Write a list of topics you feel confident discussing – be it traveling or health and fitness – and look for publications that are interested in articles about your area of expertise.
Mine Your Contacts– Knowing the right people can help you get in the door faster. Look through both your personal and professional contacts for connections to your desired publications. Use social networking sites such as Linked In to build relationships beyond your immediate circle of friends and colleagues.
Introduce Yourself- Visit local publications, meet the decision makers in person and let them know who you are and what you want to do. An impromptu introduction might be the bold move that gets you a byline.
Show What You’ve Got- Make sure you have a portfolio of previous work, a sample article or a pitch list of possible stories on hand as you meet editors. Make sure your samples showcase your skill set and help content managers get a proper sense of what they can expect if they hire you.
Draw an Audience – In this digital world, your work as a writer and content producer is not over once you’re published. It is important for freelancers to show publications that their work can draw in readers. So make sure to promote your work and the publication on your social media accounts.
Any other tips you’d like to suggest?
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Stephanie Samuel is a reporter with over nine years of experience. She has written for various publications including the AFRO-American, the Prince George’s Sentinel, and The Christian Post.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 3, 2015 | Career |
Photo credit: http://www.uhd.edu
This is a touchy one. So you let your sis or your cousin on vacation from Minnesota use your employee discount card. No big deal, right? After all, why should’t others take advantage of your employee perks? You’re actually being nice and caring. Right?
My $0.05: Tread carefully here! This may seem a benign matter, but can land you in some unnecessary hot waters at work! Make sure to find and read your company policy about employee discounts, as it can vary from workplace to workplace. Most often, employee discounts are reserved to you and your spouse, and maybe your dependents.
Whatever you do, stick to the rules! Remember ethics hotlines and anonymous tips are increasingly used to report these types of violations, as minor as they may be. You don’t want to get in trouble for a tube of lipgloss…
Do you share employee discounts with friends and family? Any tips?
The Corporate Sis.
